How Do You Open A Forex Account?

The foreign exchange market, otherwise known as the forex or currency market, is about as old as the emergence of national currencies. It's grown into the largest market on the planet, but remarkably, it hasn't been very long since the general public has had easy access to trading in this area.

Since the beginning of the internet era in the 1990s, retail forex brokerages have emerged that have allowed individual traders—nearly anyone with internet access and a small amount of initial capital—to begin trading currencies. Opening an account for forex trading has become similar to the procedure for opening a bank account or other type of brokerage account. But before starting to trade on the forex market, it's useful to consider some information that may help assure you that trading is a secure, positive and successful experience.

Find The Right Broker

To trade currencies in the forex market, you will need to find a broker. Retail currency trading has evolved as a decentralised and lightly regulated activity in an over-the-counter market. Thus, it's recommended that prospective currency traders carefully research the reputation of brokers before opening a trading account. You can do this by checking with local national regulatory agencies to verify whether the broker has any history of unfair or irregular practices.

You may also want to research the services offered by a broker before opening an account. Some may be more basic, plain-vanilla brokerages; others may offer more sophisticated trading platforms with analytical resources that can help you make better-informed trading decisions.

Traders will also want to compare commissions or other fees charged by brokers for their services. Quite often, forex brokerages will charge for trades through a bid-ask spread, which is a small percentage difference in the current buying and selling prices of a currency. However, some brokerages may have other types of commissions or fees for their services. These additional costs can be important to consider when determining the overall profitability of trading.[1]

Procedure For Opening An Account

Opening a forex trading account is not complicated, but traders will need a few things to get started.

They will usually have to provide information on an application regarding their level of trading experience and knowledge, along with their trading intentions. They will also need to provide identification and make a minimum deposit of funds in their account.

The exact steps involved in opening an account may vary from brokerage to brokerage, but the procedure typically involves the following:

Enter the broker's website and review the account types of accounts available. These can include small-scale accounts with low minimum balances designed for beginning traders; or accounts with sophisticated features designed for active traders.

Complete an application form.

Upon completing the application, you will be registered with a username and password that will give you access to your account.

Log in to the brokerage's client portal.

Arrange for the transfer of funds from your bank to deposit funds into your account. This may be through check, credit or debit card, or electronic transfer from your bank account. Note: Using a credit card for this purpose can be subject to interest charges.

Once your account has been funded, you are now ready to start trading. At this point, you will want to review any recommendations or special details that your broker provides regarding use of their trading platform before actually making your first trade. Some brokerages may offer trading simulator programs to allow traders to practice before actually putting money into trading.[2]

To Use Margin Or Not

After opening a forex account, traders will have to decide whether to use margin or not. Margin can be considered a loan of funds from the brokerage to the trader so that the trader can "leverage," or effectively multiply, the amount of capital they have available to make a trade.

Depending on the country they are operating from, traders may be allowed access to margin in a ratio to their initial capital up to anywhere from 50:1 to 400:1. The amount of margin they want to use will determine how much capital they will need to deposit in their account as a form of collateral for their trading activity. The use of margin can increase potential profits, but it can also multiply risks, because traders will be responsible for covering any and all losses incurred in trading activity even those beyond their initial investment.[3]

Summary

Opening a forex trading account is similar to opening other types of financial accounts. However, traders will want to carefully consider the reputation, services and costs of the available brokerages before making a commitment to depositing funds and beginning trading with a particular firm.

Any opinions, news, research, analyses, prices, other information, or links to third-party sites are provided as general market commentary and do not constitute investment advice. FXCM will not accept liability for any loss or damage including, without limitation, to any loss of profit which may arise directly or indirectly from use of or reliance on such information.

Trade Oil Directly from Charts

Free Practice Account

Get Free $5,000 trading account

First Name *

Last Name *

Email *

Country *

Mobile Phone

Upon submission, I agree that FXCM may provide me with products, services, promotional offers and educational information by telephone, SMS or email. I understand that I will have the opportunity to opt-out of these communications after sign up. Please refer to our Privacy Policy.

Any opinions, news, research, analyses, prices, other information, or links to third-party sites contained on this website are provided on an "as-is" basis, as general market commentary and do not constitute investment advice. The market commentary has not been prepared in accordance with legal requirements designed to promote the independence of investment research, and it is therefore not subject to any prohibition on dealing ahead of dissemination. Although this commentary is not produced by an independent source, FXCM takes all sufficient steps to eliminate or prevent any conflicts of interests arising out of the production and dissemination of this communication. The employees of FXCM commit to acting in the clients' best interests and represent their views without misleading, deceiving, or otherwise impairing the clients' ability to make informed investment decisions. For more information about the FXCM's internal organizational and administrative arrangements for the prevention of conflicts, please refer to the Firms' Managing Conflicts Policy. Please ensure that you read and understand our Full Disclaimer and Liability provision concerning the foregoing Information, which can be accessed here.

Demo Account: Although demo accounts attempt to replicate real markets, they operate in a simulated market environment. As such, there are key differences that distinguish them from real accounts; including but not limited to, the lack of dependence on real-time market liquidity, a delay in pricing, and the availability of some products which may not be tradable on live accounts. The operational capabilities when executing orders in a demo environment may result in atypically, expedited transactions; lack of rejected orders; and/or the absence of slippage. There may be instances where margin requirements differ from those of live accounts as updates to demo accounts may not always coincide with those of real accounts.

Risk Warning: Our service includes products that are traded on margin and carry a risk of losses in excess of your deposited funds. The products may not be suitable for all investors. Please ensure that you fully understand the risks involved.

More Resources

Custom Service

FXCM Policies

Follow Us

High Risk Investment Warning: Trading foreign exchange and/or contracts for difference on margin carries a high level of risk, and may not be suitable for all investors. The possibility exists that you could sustain a loss in excess of your deposited funds and therefore, you should not speculate with capital that you cannot afford to lose. Before deciding to trade the products offered by FXCM you should carefully consider your objectives, financial situation, needs and level of experience. You should be aware of all the risks associated with trading on margin. FXCM provides general advice that does not take into account your objectives, financial situation or needs. The content of this Website must not be construed as personal advice. FXCM recommends you seek advice from a separate financial advisor.

FXCM Markets is not subject to the regulatory oversight that governs other FXCM entities, which includes but is not limited to Financial Conduct Authority, and Australia Securities and Investment Commission. FXCM Markets is not intended to be used by residents of: the United States, Canada, European Union, Japan, Hong Kong, or Australia. FXCM Markets is committed to maintaining the highest standards of ethical behaviour and professionalism as well as a high level of trust and confidence, all of which are pillars of FXCM's corporate culture. FXCM has earned a reputation for fairness, honesty, and integrity, and considers this to be our most valuable corporate asset. We recognize that our reputation hinges on the adherence of our employees to the highest standards of ethical behaviour and professionalism in the performance of their duties, without which our history of accomplishments would not have been possible. For more information please contact us.

All services and products accessible through the site www.fxcm.com/markets are provided by FXCM Markets Limited with registered address Clarendon House, 2 Church Street, Hamilton, HM 11, Bermuda.

The FXCM Group is headquartered at 20 Gresham Street,
4th Floor,
London EC2V 7JE,
United Kingdom.